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Watch 50 Spectacular Short Films at the West End Film Festival 2019

Every year since 2009, a group of local filmmakers mounts the West End Film Festival (WEFF) in support of the creatives. As its 10th year offering, WEFF will be staged at two venues to showcase over 50 short films reflecting stories that are unique to Brisbane.

On Friday, the 28th of June 2019, the red carpet will be rolled out at the Rumpus Room in Russel Street to mark the opening of the West End Film Festival at 6:45 p.m. This is the official selection process of the Blue Session with 10 nominated short films featuring the sci-fi, drama, comedy and animation genre. Among these are “A Rare Breed,” “#Typecast” and “The True History of Billie the Kid.”

The Yellow Session official selection will follow at 8:45 p.m. featuring a batch of interesting characters in short films like “Pool Side,” “Fez” and “Green Pastures.”

*Photo Credit: West End Film Festival/Facebook*

By Saturday, the 29th of June 2019, two discussion panels will be underway at the Rumpus Room for budding filmmakers and students who would like to get into the business of making movies.

9:30 a.m.	So You Think You Have A Story Panel	Joe Carter (documentary producer), Dr Phoebe Heart (documentary director), Dr Sue Cake (scriptwriter) and Jo Kenny (production manager)
11:15 a.m.	Discovering Stories in Unexpected Places Panel	Faramarz K-Rahber (filmmaker)

At 1:00 p.m. a selection of short films featuring the stories about ageing and the elderly will be screened in the B.OLD Films session.

The official selection process featuring the Red, Purple and Orange Session films will run by 2:45 p.m. The night will close with the WEFFY Awards ceremony at 8:45 p.m.

Meanwhile, a free screening of these year’s movies, officially and unofficially included in the sessions, will take place the Bunyapa Park on Saturday and Sunday, the 29th and 30th of June 2019. Set from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., movie-goers are enjoined to bring their blankets or camp chairs to get comfy will watching the specially-curated movies.

Stovetop Chai will be serving hot beverages so viewers will be kept warm during the screening.

While these events are free, ticket reservations will be required online.

West End Fire Fest 2019: Watch a Spectacular Display of Fiery Flow Arts at Orleigh Park

A spectacular display of fiery flow arts will take place at the West End Fire Fest in Orleigh Park on Hill End Terrace.

Happening on Saturday, the 15th of June 2019, the West End Fire Fest will be underway from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and this event will also feature a yoga workout and a dance party.

Feel like a kid and marvel at the moving lights as performers dance, spin and juggle with fire or manipulate lit up objects to demonstrate the beauty of this creative activity. Set a picnic blanket on the ground as you watch the spinners and their exhibitions whilst eating tasty meals from the food trucks.

*Photo Credit:* *Andrii Slonchak/Facebook*

This community event will begin with a sunset yoga demonstration from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., where guests may also join.

For the rest of the evening, DJs and entertainers will be performing and playing hits or dance tunes to rouse the crowd. Among them are DJ Buzz, Michale Jenkins, DJ Onyx, DJ Lucid Geko, Emma Nekous, DJ Stephen, DJ Roger, PH-Zero and KOA.

Whilst this the West End Fire Frest will take place in an open space, adults with pets or children under 18 years old are expected to be watchful of their family members at all times, especially around the fire circle. Guests and fire spinners are also expected to clean up after themselves and observe the rules of the event to prevent any untoward accidents.

This is a free picnic and party which requires no registration. Just come, have fun, and mingle with the other guests and their families.

West End Yoga Centre to Host Two Sessions with Simon Marrocco This June

Here’s a good motivation to roll out that yoga mat and loosen those stiff muscles in this winter cold as West End Yoga Centre on Browning Street will hold two special sessions with internationally-renowned yoga teacher Simon Marrocco.

On Sunday, the 9th of June 2019, warm up and reduce the feeling of sluggishness at Mr Marroco’s workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Another session will start at 1:30 p.m. and end at 3:30 p.m.

Tickets to the 2.5 hours workshops are at $60 each. Booking is required, so make sure to purchase early as the spots are limited.

Doing yoga in the winter can help improve body circulation and make those long naps more efficient. It also balances the mind and body when you’re most likely to overindulge on sleep and food because of the cold weather.

*Photo Credit: West End Yoga Centre/Facebook*

Mr Marroco, a Senior Iyengar Yoga instructor, has been a yoga practitioner for over 30 years. Whilst he frequents the West End Yoga Centre, he is also the founder and director of the Melbourne’s St. Kilda Iyengar Yoga School.

The West End Yoga Centre is owned and managed by Jamie Denham. He opened the site in 2014, which has become a hub for teachers, students and enthusiasts.

Score $20 Leather Boots at the West End Warehouse Shoe Sale Until June 1st

The bi-annual West End Warehouse Shoe Sale is here again!

On its 39th run, shoppers can score European or Asian-made shoes from $20 to $80 at this bargain opportunity on 12 Turin Street.

The warehouse sale will run from Wednesday, the 29th of May, until Saturday, the 1st of June. Heaps of sneakers, espadrilles, winter shoes and leather boots will be on display from sizes 36 to 42. Shoppers may also potentially find dress shoes for men, school shoes for kids, work boots and Uggs.

Interested in going? Take note of the West End Warehouse Shoe Sale trading schedule below:

Wednesday, May 29th	6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 30th	7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday, May 31st	7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 1st	7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

*Photo Credit: West End Warehouse Shoe Sale*

Come wearing your most comfortable clothes. With a huge selection of quality-made footwear laid out table after table, you’ll likely be staying a while to find that perfect pair of shoes.

Vegetarian Restaurant Offers All-You-Can-Eat Buffet

Photo Credit: Govindas- Brisbane ( Pure Vegetarian )/Facebook

Plant-based food does not always have to mean boring and bland. Govinda’s, a purely vegetarian restaurant in West End, proves exactly that.

The restaurant is one of Brisbane’s longest running vegetarian restaurants serving wholesome food to happy and healthy diners for over 12 years. Food is cooked fresh daily and the ingredients are sourced from carefully curated providers to ensure the highest quality.

Govinda’s has all the best flavours of meat-free Indian dishes. You can feast on mixed vegetable curry, lentil soup, savoury veggie puffs, fresh tomato and herb chutney, lentil tortillas, or fresh garden salad.

When you’re craving for something sweet, taste their Halava, a South Asian version of Semolina fruit pudding made more delicious with the added custard.

For $12, you can enjoy their all-you-can eat buffet and drinks like their homemade ginger and mint lemonade.

Govinda’s at West End is open from Monday to Saturday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and dinner on weekdays from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. They are located at 82 Vulture Street , West End.

Aside from their West End location, they also have two more locations across the city. One is n Brisbane CBD and the other one is in Fortitude Valley.

For more information about this pure vegetarian restaurant, check out their website or give them a call at 0404 173 027.

RACQ Calls for Car Access in Proposed West End to Toowong Bridge

Whilst RACQ welcomed Lord Mayor Schrinner’s plan to build five additional green bridges across Brisbane, the State’s peak motoring body stressed disappointment over the proposed West End to Toowong bridge.

After being officially appointed as Brisbane’s new lord mayor last 8 April 2019, Chandler ward councillor Adrian Schrinner announced that he plans to build additional green bridges across Brisbane to help reduce traffic congestion and enhance cross-river connectivity:

Kangaroo Point Green Bridge – a pedestrian/cycle bridge for which the Council is currently undertaking a business case.
Toowong to West End Green Bridge – a potential pedestrian/cycle/public transport bridge.
St Lucia to West End Green Bridge – a potential pedestrian/cycle/public transport bridge.
Breakfast Creek Green Bridge – a pedestrian/cycle bridge connecting Kingsford Smith Drive Riverwalk into the existing Riverwalk network.
Bellbowrie Green Bridge – a potential pedestrian/cycle/public transport bridge, with emergency access.

The said program is going to cost at least $500 million, of which the Council will shoulder at least two-thirds whilst the rest of the funding contributions will be sought from the State and Federal governments.

The proposal reflects the residents’ sentiment as shown in the 2017 Bridging Brisbane campaign, RACQ spokesperson Paul Turner said.

The survey was conducted from 28 April – 30 June 2017, and the results revealed that an overwhelming number of respondents support 10 out of 12 proposed new or upgraded river crossings.

A welcome news but…

Whilst the Club applauds the Brisbane City Council “for stepping up to create new green bridges across the city,” the exclusion of traffic lanes for cars in the proposed West End to Toowong bridge, to them, was disappointing.

“We know that western corridor has some of the slowest traffic times in Brisbane and we’d call on Council to help alleviate that pressure,” RACQ spokesperson Paul Turner said.

“West End faces the prospect of becoming a car park with the closure of Victoria Bridge to drivers and the lack of vehicular access across the river to the west.

“Not only do we need investment in public transport and active transport infrastructure but we need to ensure Brisbane motorists have access to free alternative routes that minimise delays by car.

Video Credit: RACQOfficial / YouTube

“We would like also to see Council consider duplicating the Walter Taylor Bridge at Indooroopilly to mitigate the bottlenecks we see created every morning and evening there during peak hour.”

The Club also hopes that the Council will be able to secure additional funding from the State and/or Federal government.

“We know attempts to attract funding and planning cooperation across all levels of government has proven problematic in the past, and we hope all three tiers see the sense in working together to ensure Brisbane doesn’t grind to halt – whether its residents are on foot, on a bike, on public transport or behind the wheel.”

Make Your Own Mini Japanese Garden at This West End Workshop

Creating a miniature Japanese garden can be gratifying and you can learn how to make one at this three-hour workshop at Mappin’s Nursery & Aquarium on Montague Road in West End.

Conducted by Kent Florist, the miniature Japanese garden workshop is set for Sunday, the 2nd of June 2019, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The class is for $95 per person, which already covers the cost of materials like the plants, driftwood, gravel, pottery, rocks, and the container.

*Photo Credit:* *Kent Florist Brisbane Mikiko Inoue/Facebook*

Mikoko Inoue, the owner of Kent Florist, has almost two decades of experience as a florist and a wedding provider. She has worked on film sets, on commercial environments and in various functions for business and governments.

Ms Inoue will teach students what materials go well and what shouldn’t be arranged together during the miniature Japanese garden workshop. She will also guide students on how to create artistic designs despite the space constraints of a small container.

Doing miniature gardens as a hobby helps people connect with nature and highlight their creative side. It may also take them back to their childhood and remind them of how fun it was to assemble, construct or build doll houses, figures, vehicles and other objects.

Green tea and Japanese treats will be served at the workshop. You may claim your spot and pay for the ticket online.

This ‘Secret’ Pasta Bar Brings A Taste of Italy in West End

Photo Credit: CJ's Secret Pasta/Facebook

Looking for a restaurant away from the crowds? Check out CJ’s Secret Pasta, an intimate 14-seater located in a backstreet of West End’s foodie quarter.

This tiny restaurant is perfect for families and small groups, because aside from the private dining experience and the sumptuous food, you get to dine in an ultra-casual fashion with the venue’s warm ambience.

Like a typical Italian cuisine, the menu is simple but every food served is made of the freshest ingredients plus this pasta club is BYO-friendly, so you can bring your favourite wine or beer with you.

It’s like visiting your grandmother’s house for dinner or having a little Italy of your own in West End’s busy neighborhood.

Executive chef Dario Milano and his team takes care of the ever-changing menu to give you a taste of authentic North Italian dishes like gnocchi, ricotta, and the classic lasagne.

The menu is straightforward and whilst it changes every day, you can always expect pasta with a creamy sauce or some sort of ragu or bolognaise.

Owner Leila Amirparviz, who’s also behind The Spaghetti House Trattoria in South Bank, just wanted to have a small yet flexible and pleasant space for guests.

You can find a few tables in the casual fit-out, made beautiful by the mix-and-match chairs, and Anna Markey’s candles and ceramics.

Ms Amirparviz said they have a flexible menu, like when guests want a rocket salad, they can actually whip one up.

CJ’s Secret Pasta Club is located at 26 Hoogley Street West End and opens on weekdays from noon until 8:00 pm.

For further information about the restaurant, check out their website or follow them on Facebook.

Brisbane’s New Lord Mayor Announces New Green Bridges for West End

(Photo Credit: Kgbo/ Wikimedia Commons)

Brisbane’s new Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has promised five new green bridges across the city and two of them will be in West End.

One of the proposed connections would be from West End to St Lucia whilst the other one will be connecting the suburb to Toowong.

There are possibilities that the bridges will be like the Eleanor Schonell Bridge, the first bridge in Australia exclusively designed for buses, cyclists and pedestrians.

Cr Schrinner shared a picture of the Eleanor Schonell bridge on his Twitter account, along with an announcement that his team is committed to building new green bridges in the Brisbane River to “ensure the city is cleaner, greener, and more active.”

As Lord Mayor elect, today I have announced that our team is committed to building 5 new Green Bridges on the Brisbane River. This is all about ensuring our city is cleaner, greener & more active. #buildingandprotectingBNE pic.twitter.com/bI9B45FiCw— Adrian Schrinner (@Schrinner) March 31, 2019

The new green bridges, which could cost more than half a billion dollars, are expected to be delivered within five to 10 years.

Cr Schrinner, who wants to focus on green spaces and liveability, added that the three other proposed connections would be in Kangaroo Point, Breakfast Creek and Bellbowrie.

West End to Toowong

Cr Schrinner said they are looking at options regarding the best location of the bridge and among the considered locations is the former ABC site in Toowong.

He revealed that they are considering purchasing the now privately owned former ABC site for the West End to Toowong bridge.

“There are a number of locations where a bridge can be built between West End and Toowong, we want to get the right location,” he said.

Earlier this month, State Greens MP for Maiwar Michael Berkman and Councillor for The Gabba Jonathan Sri launched a community survey in Toowong and found that majority of the residents surveyed support a new footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists connecting the suburb to West End.

Mr Berkman said the former ABC site could be an idyllic riverfront park and a perfect landing point for a walking and cycling bridge connecting West End and Toowong.

Apart from further discussions with residents, Mr Berkman said they will be consulting engineering, planning and design experts for the exact location and design of the footbridge.

West End to St Lucia

In 2017, the University of Queensland already proposed a master plan for their St Lucia campus, calling for a new pedestrian bridge linking the campus to West End.

The university backed down from their plans after Brisbane City Council said it had no intentions of funding construction of the bridge, which UQ said it would not be offering to build itself.

As of 2017, there were 99,000 commuter trips to the university each day and 63 percent of them made by public transport or bike.

Cr Schrinner said this just shows the demand for a new bridge going to the University of Queensland.

Design for New Dutton Park State High School Unveiled

(Photo Credit: Queensland Government)

The public can finally have a first look at the master plan and designs of the new high school at Dutton Park.

Designed by Brisbane-based architects BVN, the school will feature state-of-the-art learning and innovative teaching hubs that are close to a contemporary college design than a traditional high school.

Deputy Premier and Member for South Brisbane Jackie Trad said a group of principals, education consultants and architects had been working since 2018 on the initial design of the campus.

Inner City South SSC master plan (Photo credit: Queensland Government)

The school will be built on a triangular parcel of land on Gladstone Road near the Harmony Gardens and the Gair Park.

“The learning plaza will become the central gathering space at the school and provides a strong sense of community in this inner-urban context,” Ms Trad said.

Apart from a learning oasis and a creative hub, the master plan shows the school will also have an active park, outdoor court, multi-purpose hall, health and well-being hub, productive garden, and a pocket park.

Artist impression of the entrance atrium (Photo credit: Queensland Government)

Ms Trad encourages the community to provide feedback about the concept master plan.

“I encourage the local community to take the time to look at the concept drawings and images and provide their thoughts and feedback. This will shape the detailed design that the design team will finalise in coming months,” Ms Trad said.

The first community feedback session will be held on 23 April 2018 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Dutton Park State School library.

It will be followed by two more sessions at the Gair Park on 27 April 2019 from 10:00 am to noon and on 4 May 2019 from noon until 2:00 pm.

Attendees are requested to pre-register at the Building Future Schools website.

Residents who cannot attend the community sessions may also lodge a feedback online until 12 May 2019.

Dutton Park State School Opening

An artist impression of the creative hub on Annerley Road (Photo credit: Queensland Government)

Based on projected timeline, the new high school at Dutton Park should be complete before 2021 to allow Year 7 students to commence in Term 1.

The school will add a year level until 2026 when the school will offer Year 7 to Year 12.

It is part of the $800 million Building Future Schools program of the Queensland government aiming to deliver new state schools in growth area across the state, support the master-planning of inner city state schools, and invest in existing school assets and making strategic land acquisitions for the future.

Dutton Park State School is just one out of the 35 master planned inner Brisbane state schools under the BFS program.

The program will also establish new secondary colleges in the north and south, deliver six new schools, and expand schools like the Kelvin Grove State College Ballet Academy and West End State School.